Gaza Under Fire
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Medical Aid for Palestinians works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. GAZA UNDER FIRE WITNESS AUGUST 2014 Editorial SITUATIONSITUATION OVERVIEW OVERIEW www.map-uk.org DEAR READER IN THIS ISSUE It has been another terrible few months for Palestinians. SITUATION OVERVIEW AND 1 EDITORIAL In July, we watched in disbelief as the people of Gaza – Tony Laurance imprisoned by Israel’s blockade – were bombarded by thousands of tons of explosives from land, sea and air. MAP’S RESPONSE 2 Thousands have been killed or injured of which a high SITUATION OVERVIEW number are children. For any child over six it will the third A round up of what is happening war of their short lives. in Gaza and MAP’s response 1. Al Shifa hospital: 12. Attack on children going to shop: 15. Playing children killed by Israel: MAP supplies delivered. On 8th July, a drone fires a missile at 4 children are killed while playing The civilian population has borne the brunt of Israel’s indiscriminate attacks on 3-4 GAZA CRISIS AND 3 children on a street in Jabalia. One on the beach near Gaza City port on the most vulnerable, including women, children, older people and people with MAPS RESPONSE 2. Al Karama hospital: of the children is killed on the spot; 16th July. Another 2 are injured. MAP supplies delivered. disability. UN shelters and medical facilities including hospitals have also been hit; A look at the origins of the crisis the other 2 are injured. The boys were those seeking refuge, patients and medical staff have been injured and killed. There on their way to buy ingredients for a and how MAP is responding 3. Al Nasser hospital: 5 has been serious damage to housing, water, sanitation and electricity infrastructure, hummus dish for Iftar. MAP supplies delivered. posing further threats to public health. 5-6 Photostory 12 13. Nine killed watching World Cup: 10 NORTH GAZA Images and quotes 4. Al Wafa: What madness is this? What further proof is needed of the futility of Israel’s policy On 9th July, a military attack on a 11 Erez Crossing The Al Wafa rehabilitative hospital Beit Lahiya towards Gaza over the past decade – an illegal policy of siege and collective from our team in Gaza beachside coffee shop killed 9 people in Shuja’iyyeh is severely damaged Jabalya 14 punishment which has devastated Gaza’s economy, imprisoned its population and watching a World Cup football match. Shati Camp 7 after being attacked twice by Israeli Beit Hanoun denied them the possibility of a normal life. There has to be a better way. There can THE VIEW FROM Another 3 people are injured including 15 9 forces. This hospital is the only one be no return to the status quo when the fighting finally stops. the WEST BANK one child. Gaza City West Bank reacts to events in Gaza in Gaza that specialises in providing 9 20 care for people with severe and Our staff in Gaza have worked throughout the bombardment despite the 6 4 terrible conditions and risks. The hospitals are under the most impossible strain, complex impairments. 8 THE VIEW FROM 2 17 flooded with patients and acute shortages of supplies. MAP was able to respond Lebanon 5. Al Awda hospital: GAZA within hours of the escalation by releasing our prepositioned emergency supplies 1 16 Our team in Lebanon give their MAP supplies delivered to the to the hospitals. You can read more of how MAP was leading the response on the 7a reaction to Gaza, while managing blood bank. Al-Nuseirat features inside. Juhor Al-Deek their own crisis 19 6. Central Drug Store: 7b Al-Bureii MAP was also at the forefront of speaking out in the media, in Parliament and on Al-Maghazi ISRAEL Receiving and distributing MAP supplies Deir Al-Balah our website, calling for concerted action by the UK government and international 9-10 TAKE ON 18 community to secure: to Gaza’s hospitals. THE CHALLENGE MIDDLE AREA 8 Be a fundraiser 7. Palestinian Red Crescent Society The protection of civilians, medical facilities and personnel; (PRCS): 16. Children killed while feeding chickens: 11 MAP NEWS MAP is working with PRCS to distribute 13 A complete and enduring ceasefire, with parties held to account for On 17th July, 3 children, who were Plus dates for your diary mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits in violations of international law; feeding the family chicken on the roof the Middle Area, Gaza City, Khan Younis 7d Bani Suheila Khan Younis of their home, were killed. 2 children Lifting of the blockade of Gaza together with a realistic plan for and Rafah. sustainable redevelopment; KHAN YOUNIS were injured. 8. Al Aqsa hospital: 17. Brutal Ground Invasion in Shejai’ya: Renewal of peace negotiations which recognise Palestinians’ right to On 21st July, reported shelling kills 5 The north eastern town of Shejai’ya self-determination and the territorial integrity of the West Bank, East Jerusalem patients and 2 doctors and injured has been the site of relentless attacks and Gaza and which ensure a just and fair solution for all. at least 70 people at the hospital. RAFAH 3 EGYPT by Israeli forces and a ground invasion 7c This edition of Witness focuses on the tragic situation in Gaza including access 9. Beit Hanoun hospital: that killed dozens of people. Medical Rafah to healthcare and the many initiatives to support the population of Gaza. The hospital had a direct hit. By the end personnel were apparently targeted and prevented from accessing the injured. of July, 6 hospitals and 10 primary health Rafah Crossing I would like to say a special thank you to MAP’s many supporters, donors and care clinics had been damaged in attacks. volunteers for their tremendous generosity and hard work over these terrible 18. Attack on Shelter: Kerem Shalom Crossing weeks. Your support has never been more vital. 10. Israeli military attack on An UNRWA school operating as an disability centre: emergency shelter for approximately A missile attack on Mebaret 1,000 forced out of their homes, was Palestine for the Disabled Centre on attacked by Israel. 12th July killed 2 women. The centre, 19. Al Jazeera attacked: for people with complex disabilities TONY LAURANCE 14. UNRWA Shelter: On 22nd July, Al Jazeera staff report has been destroyed. Another 3 women th Chief Executive Officer On 24 July, UNRWA’s Beit Hanoun attacks on their office by Israeli forces. Medical Aid for Palestinians with disabilities and a staff member Elementary School, serving as a were injured. shelter for displaced families, was hit 20. Palestinian Red Crescent Society by explosive projectiles, causing 15 (PRCS) forced to move: 11. Hospital director’s house destroyed: fatalities and 200 injuries. The attack A PRCS operations office was Al Shifa’s director’s home is destroyed followed three previous incidents over hit by Israeli forces on 9th July, by Israeli forces. The director said, “I got 4 days of UNRWA shelters being hit injuring 3 medics and the director. my family out with seconds to spare.” Cover photograph by Gianluca Panella by explosives. Operations transferred. 1 2 GAZA CRISIS www.map-uk.org GAZA CRISIS AND MAP’S REspoNSE Thousands have been killed and injured in the full-scale Israeli military offensive on Gaza which began on 7th July. Many are children and most are civilians. Over 215,000 people have been displaced from their homes. The attacks on Gaza’s homes, schools, emergency shelters and hospitals mean that no one and nowhere is safe. As Witness went to press at the end of July, international efforts to prolong a 12-hour ceasefire had failed and the already critical situation was becoming even more desperate. ORIGINS OF THE AttACKS HEAlth SystEM UNDER response to provide desperately IMPOSSIBLE STRAIN needed support and supplies. MAP After President Sisi seized power in has continued to be a key responder to Egypt , there was a breakdown in The health system in Gaza was in a the crisis. At the time of writing MAP relations between Hamas and the dire state after eight years of blockade had delivered more medical aid to Egyptian Government and most of even before the escalation of hostilities. Gaza’s hospitals then any international the tunnels from Egypt into Gaza, The isolation of Gaza from the rest of aid agency. which had acted as a lifeline for the the world, the political split between blockaded population, were closed. Gaza and the West Bank, the lack of MAP’s response included supplying This put further pressure on Hamas training, maintenance and investment, urgently needed equipment, such to reach an accord with Fatah. On had all taken a heavy toll. MAP staff as breathing tubes, surgical gauze 23rd April, the two parties signed a on the ground reported that 28% of and needles to the Gaza’s hospitals. landmark reconciliation agreement. essential medicines were at zero stock Within hours of an urgent request In June, President Abbas formed a and another 16% were at less than 12 from Al Shifa, the largest hospital government of ‘technocrats’ without weeks supply. Shortages of disposable in Gaza, MAP supplied anaesthetics representatives of either party. The medical equipment were reported at and antibiotics, as well as surgical US, EU and UN announced they would 54% of needed items, including basic disposables. MAP also responded work with the Unity Government – but items such as sutures and materials for swiftly to a call from Al Awda hospital Mohamed Askari this prompted angry condemnation by bone injuries. in the north of Gaza for emergency Emergency case rushed into Al’Shifa Hospital the Israeli government who objected to supplies, providing essential drugs and the reconciliation deal.